When Sherman Smith entered Deland McCullough’s life, he became his lifelong friend, role model and father figure. The two football pros had many parallels in their careers, but neither of them had any idea that they had something much more significant in common: genetics.

McCullough, who was raised by his adoptive mother, Adelle Comer, in Youngstown, Ohio, first met Smith when he was 16 years old. At the time, McCullough was being recruited to play football for Miami University in Ohio, where Smith was the running backs coach. From the very beginning, Smith was determined to play an important role in the young recruit’s life.

“The statement that I would make to the players as I coached them, I would say, ‘You may not be looking for a father, but I treat you like you’re my son,’” he told

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